T Cell Maturation

T Cell Maturation

To the tune of “The Man Who Sold the World” by David Bowie

[Verse 1]
MHC restriction
It ensures that T cells
Recognize antigens
In MHC context
It’s executed by
Epithelial thymic
Cortical cells
Not bone marrow derived cells

[Chorus]
T cells mature
Inside the thymus
Most don’t survive
And undergo apoptosis

[Verse 2]
Central tolerance
It ensures that T cells
Bind MHC and antigens
But not too well
T cells that bind too tight
Are eliminated by
Cells derived from bone marrow
So they don’t attack their host

[Chorus]
T cells mature
Inside the thymus
Most don’t survive
And undergo apoptosis